Montauk Observatory Needs Help!
Donation protected
Montauk Observatory (MO) is desperately in need of your help. We have an astronomical observatory and the dream of being the only observatory on Long Island that students, researchers and the general public can remotely access (via the internet) for little or no cost. The problem: the observatory is only a shell without working parts. How did that happen?
In 2005, a handful of inspired individuals who wanted to share their passion for science, in general, and astronomy, in particular, incorporated Montauk Observatory as a NYS 501(c)(3) educational non-profit charity. They chipped in and bought a 20” research-grade telescope. Now they just needed a dome and a place where it could be installed. Incredibly, the search for a location lasted over a decade. Every time a place was found (largely on county-owned sites), arrangements fell through (due mostly to bureaucratic boondoggles).
In the meantime, in 2012, MO received the donation of a used, 15' Technical Innovations dome. They had the telescope. They had the dome. But they still needed a place the observatory could call home.
Fortunately, just last year, the Ross School in East Hampton heard about Montauk Observatory's plight and offered a spot on its campus to install the dome.
Recently, when the dome was removed from storage so that it could finally be assembled, a discovery was made: all the mechanical parts and motors had rusted in the years the observatory was in storage! A nightmare replaced the dream that was so close to coming true.
Funds are now needed to purchase and replace parts, as well as to do all that is necessary to get the dome operational so that Long Islanders will have their first and only remotely accessible astronomical observatory that they themselves can use. It is also MO's intention to create educational programs, including quality lectures, internship opportunities and assistance to students doing science projects.
We have received the promise of $6,000 in matching-donation pledges; that is, for every dollar you donate, Montauk Observatory will receive $1.00 in matching funds. If we don't received that dollar from you, we won't receive the dollar from the matching donation. While this matching-fund pledge is a tremendous opportunity, we won't be able to take advantage of it without you.
Beginning December 15, 2016, while supplies last, every donor of $100 or more will receive a free thank you gift: an autographed copy of Dava Sobel's new book, The Glass Universe: How the Ladies of the Harvard Observatory Took the Measure of the Stars.
Please help us bring the Universe to you and to others for generations to come!
When the observatory is up and running, donors will receive priority when we schedule remote access sessions. Also, contributions are tax-deductible (please consult your accountant for details).
Our deepest thanks for your kind consideration and for joining in our quest.
Donna L. McCormick
Executive Director
www.MontaukObservatory.com
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 3095
East Hampton, NY 11937
In 2005, a handful of inspired individuals who wanted to share their passion for science, in general, and astronomy, in particular, incorporated Montauk Observatory as a NYS 501(c)(3) educational non-profit charity. They chipped in and bought a 20” research-grade telescope. Now they just needed a dome and a place where it could be installed. Incredibly, the search for a location lasted over a decade. Every time a place was found (largely on county-owned sites), arrangements fell through (due mostly to bureaucratic boondoggles).
In the meantime, in 2012, MO received the donation of a used, 15' Technical Innovations dome. They had the telescope. They had the dome. But they still needed a place the observatory could call home.
Fortunately, just last year, the Ross School in East Hampton heard about Montauk Observatory's plight and offered a spot on its campus to install the dome.
Recently, when the dome was removed from storage so that it could finally be assembled, a discovery was made: all the mechanical parts and motors had rusted in the years the observatory was in storage! A nightmare replaced the dream that was so close to coming true.
Funds are now needed to purchase and replace parts, as well as to do all that is necessary to get the dome operational so that Long Islanders will have their first and only remotely accessible astronomical observatory that they themselves can use. It is also MO's intention to create educational programs, including quality lectures, internship opportunities and assistance to students doing science projects.
We have received the promise of $6,000 in matching-donation pledges; that is, for every dollar you donate, Montauk Observatory will receive $1.00 in matching funds. If we don't received that dollar from you, we won't receive the dollar from the matching donation. While this matching-fund pledge is a tremendous opportunity, we won't be able to take advantage of it without you.
Beginning December 15, 2016, while supplies last, every donor of $100 or more will receive a free thank you gift: an autographed copy of Dava Sobel's new book, The Glass Universe: How the Ladies of the Harvard Observatory Took the Measure of the Stars.
Please help us bring the Universe to you and to others for generations to come!
When the observatory is up and running, donors will receive priority when we schedule remote access sessions. Also, contributions are tax-deductible (please consult your accountant for details).
Our deepest thanks for your kind consideration and for joining in our quest.
Donna L. McCormick
Executive Director
www.MontaukObservatory.com
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 3095
East Hampton, NY 11937
Organizer and beneficiary
Montauk Observatory
Organizer
Northwest Harbor, NY
Montauk Observatory
Beneficiary
